Pelicans White Defeat Bafana Dos In The Snow
Courtesy of Atlanta Footballnet: http://www.atlanta-footballnet.com/leagues/main…
Conditions on this day would be challenging for anyone out in the weather, and this was no different for competitors, Bafana Dos and Pelicans FC White at Riverwood HS Field. These teams set themselves to square off in a vital 3rd division match in freezing and snowy conditions to battle for places near the top of the 3rd division table. Bafana Dos began the day with the same 15 points as Georgia Tech Club but behind them on goal difference. Pelicans FC White lay 2 points behind them in 6th place on 13 points.
If the weather was a factor for the players, it was not evident as the whistle blew to start action. A frantic pace set the tone of the early moments of the contest even if the action was a bit scrappy. Each team tried to settle with an advantage in possession and traded blows in the middle of the park. As both teams attempted to settle into a composed passing game, neither could gain an advantage in possession or pressure the keepers. But an advantage would come in minute 22.
As both squads traded possession back and forth, a loose ball was pounced on by Pelican, Dalibor Amaonvic. There did not appear to be much danger as he moved forward, but as other Pelican players made runs diagonally from Amaonvic’s position, it served to split the Dos defense as they looked to cover outlet routes. This action inadvertently opened up the center of the field which Amaonvic exploited by running forward with the ball with pace and neatly dispatched the ball past the Dos keeper into the back of the net. Pelicans were ahead 1 – 0.
A bit of confusion for observers in the 32nd minute when a penalty was awarded to Pelicans after a foul was called in the box. There were brief protest from the Dos players to the call, but the penalty stood. Pelican, Robert Hajinal, had his first successful attempt called back due to the infringement of a teammate in the penalty area as he took the spot kick. However, he successfully scored on his second attempt and put Pelican’s ahead 2 – 0. The match was now slowly going Pelicans way on both the scoreboard and in possession on the field, but Bafana Dos would grab one back before the break.
Bafana Dos had problems holding possession long enough to pressure Steve Cantonis in the Pelican goal mouth. However, on 40 minutes, a move on the left wing saw the #7 Dos player get loose on the left side of the penalty area where his shot on goal got past the out-stretched hands of Cantonis in goal and Dos now had a life-line though still trailing 2 – 1 as the clubs went into the break.
The drama continued in the 2nd half as an even match was made even more dramatic with an equalizer from Bafana Dos. The match was taking on a character all it’s own now with both clubs level and with precious points to be had, each squad looked for the advantage. Pelicans would be the club to find it as the match neared the 90th minute. Pelicans moved forward toward the Dos goal in the 85th minute and with passing routes occupied, Pelican player, Lawrence Monroe found a way to chip a beautifully crafted shot over the Dos keeper and into the back of the net for a crucial goal that ultimately was the game winner.
Both clubs showed courage and determination to show up and play in these conditions but it would be Pelicans FC White to take all 3 points today as they bubble up the 3rd Division table in their challenge for honors this season. Now the stage is set going forward as we get close to another holiday break.
Though Bafana Dos were eliminated in the first round of the Perrin Cup, they are still hot prospects in the 3rd division race for promotion. Pelicans FC White did advance to the 2nd round of the Perrin Cup where they will face Tanzanite FC. Pelicans are just as hot as Bafana Dos for promotion honors and will be looking to continue their fine form going into the 2nd half of the season. It would be well worth any fan to get out to support these fine 2 teams as the season wears on. They will provide a good sporting value for the family in the Atlanta area.
Next Up: Perrin Cup 2nd round 12/19 at 11am vs Tanzanite FC